San Francisco Chronicle: PG&E SmartMeters likely to boost shut-offs

[marmar]

PG&E SmartMeters likely to boost shut-offs
David R. Baker, Chronicle Staff Writer

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

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More Pacific Gas and Electric Co. customers who fall behind on their bills will have their power shut off once the utility installs SmartMeters throughout its territory, the company predicted in a recent government filing.

The advanced, digital meters allow San Francisco's PG&E to turn service off or on without sending a crew to a customer's home. As a result, PG&E expects to shut off 85 percent of the customers eligible for disconnection in 2011, according to the company. In 2008, just 37 percent of customers eligible for disconnection actually lost service.

The number of disconnections could approach 380,000 in 2011, according to a document PG&E filed last month with the California Public Utilities Commission as part of the company's latest rate-increase request. Last year, the commission reported that PG&E shut off service to 298,020 delinquent customers in the 12-month period that ended in August.

The prediction comes at a sensitive time.

The number of Californians losing electricity and gas service has jumped as the recession ravages household budgets. At the same time, PG&E's SmartMeters have come under fire from some customers who say their utility bills soared after the new meters were installed. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/26/BUUG1BNBVD.DTL&tsp=1

[crikkett]

1. shutoffs?

It actually seems kind of stupid. Shutting off 50% more people means not selling them electrical power. Even if a household is in arrears it's still consuming electricity that will eventually be paid for.

[Robb]

2. By whom? nt

[crikkett]

4. ...by the people who continue to live in it,

who I assume are going through tough times, and doing their best to keep up. My speculation is that cutting off people earlier than they already do, could hurt PG&E's profits.

(I know it's possible to live without electricity but you wouldn't know it)

[crikkett]

3. ooops

replied to wrong post

[hobbit709]

5. It's all about fees

They'll make you pay the past due, a reconnect fee and most likely a deposit too.